Display rack

ABSTRACT

A support rack for either displaying wigs, falls, wiglets, demiwigs, toupees and other wearing apparel including a plurality of adjustable head block support stands movably mounted in a Cshaped channel member. A clamp assembly at each end of said channel member for securing said channel member between any two walls.

United States Patent 11/1958 DeLoach......................

1/1969 Siege!.

o e e Ill P m a a 9 m Q- l V 7 5 83 wu h n hiimm r o 8 WM V p .m AF 1 ll. 2 I12 7 22 [45] Patented Aug.3l,l97l

Primary Examiner-Nile C. Byers 'Attorney- Paul M'aleson 211/100 ABSTRACT: A support rack for either displaying wigs, falls, 30, 105.3; 248/176; 223/66 [54] DISPLAYRACK 8 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs.

wig lets, demiwigs, toupees and other wearing apparel includ- "ing a plurality of adjustable head block support stands [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2.343.050 2/1944 Fischer...................

PATENTED was] I971 INVENTOR.

JOHNJZVERRECCHIO QTTORNEY 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to the display art, and in particular relates to a display rack. More particularly, it relates to a display rack for providing means to display a'plurality of head blocks each being able to hold either a wig, wiglet, fall, demiwig, toupee, or hat thereon.

2. Description of the Prior Art I In the past U.S. Pat. Nos. to Benner 3,198,408 and Schurner 3,300,108 represented the typical type of display rack capable of holding a head bloc, thereon. The limitation of only being able to'display one head block on each rack and the need for an additional support such as a table or stand is clearly illustrated by theaforementioned patents. These factors presented a further limitation of availability of space since the size of the table or stand, presented the maximum display. capability.

' SUMMARY or THE INVENTION.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a display rack capable of holding a plurality of head blocks thereon.

Another object is the provision of a display rack which is adjustable so as to fit between any twowalls where the distance therebetween mayvary. I

A further object is to provide a display rack having a head block and support therefor in which the support is provided with a ball-socket coupling and block which the head block is connected to theball-socket connection by a pin-recess type connection thereby permitting complex adjustable movement of the head block relative to the support.

The above objects as well as other together with the benefits and advantages of the invention will be apparent upon reference to the detailed description set forth below, particularly when taken in conjunction with the drawings annexed hereto in which like reference numerals refer to like parts.

, BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, the display rack .100 includes a plurality of support stands secured in a C-shaped channel member 12 which is constructed of a suitable rigid material, preferably metal. TheC-shaped channel member is comprised of a plurality of portions, namely bottom portion 120, side portions 12b and 12c, and top portions 12d and 122. The base portion 14 of the support stand 10 is a slidable block secured in the C-shaped channel portion which can be tightly secured in any position thereof by means to be described, infra.- The block 14 is provided with a centrally located upstanding stem 15 which is screw threaded to secure in said block 14 at one end thereof and includes integral therewith, at the other end thereof, a generally cylindrically shapedsocket 16, which receives the ball member 17 which is integral by wayof rod 17 a with a generally frustoconically shaped elongate male coupling element 17b.

Means are provided for securing the ball member 17 snugly in the socket l6-and include a thumbscrew 18 which screws into a hole, not shown, in the side of socket l6 and forces ball member 17 tightly against the inner sides of socket 16. Thus. the thumbscrew 18 may be loosened to allow movementof the ball member 17 relative to the socket 16-and the thumbscrew 18 may thereafter be tightened to cause the ball member 17 to be moved into clamped relation with respect tothe socket 16 so that the former may be releasably. locked in an adjusted position.

Referring again to FIG. 1 it will be seen that the generally frustoconicallyshaped elongate male coupling element 17b whichis rigidly affixed to the ball member 17, by way of rod 17a, projects upwardly therefrom. This male coupling element 17b is shaped and contoured to be received in snug fitting relation within a frustoconically shaped recess defined by a female coupling element,'not shown, of the conventional head block 19. The complementary tapered or frustoconical configuration of the male and'female coupling elements provides an effective bearing surface so that the head block 19 may be revolved about thelongitudinal axis defined by the male coupling element 17b. This connection while permitting revolving movement of the headblock relative to the ballsocket connection also presents a positive but releasable interrelation of the head block to-the support stand.

In tightly securing the-support stand 10 in the C-shaped channel member 12, the block 14 is positioned in the proper spot. The stem 15 is screw threaded into the block 14 so that the blockl4 is forced upwards against the top portions 12; and 12d of the C-shaped channel member 12' thereby holding theblock 14 in a positive position.

The display rack100, as seen in F IG.3, shows a plurality of channel member v12. Each support stand 10 has secured thereto a head block 19 having thereupon a wig 20. As can be seen, the display rack 100 is secured between two walls in such a manner as to provide a unique display arrangement. Of course, the display rack 100 could be placed in a more horizontal position or in a more vertical position depending upon the desires of the user.

The display rack 100 is secured between the two walls by a clamp assembly located at each end of the C-shaped channel 12. Referring now to FIG. 2, the clamp'assembly 30 includes an end block 25 which is slidable in C-shaped channel member 12.

Integral with said'end block 25 is an extension 26 which extends horizontally outward from the end of C-shaped channel member 12 in a plane parallel thereto. Pivot means 26a are provided at the nonintegral end of said extension 26. The end block 26 is positioned in a similar manner as block 14 by the use of screw 27 which screws down into' end block 25 thereby causing same to rise and be secured against top members 12c and 12d. These end blocks '25, one at each end of C-shaped channel member 12, can be positioned to allow the display rack to be secured between walls of varying widths. Pivotably attached to pivot means 26 is a clevis 31 which is secured to pivot means 26 by a pin 31a. A shoe 32 is integral with clevis 31 and had on its other side a resilient material 33, such as rubber, which resilient material abuts the wall surfaces 35a and 35b, and secures the display rack therebetween.

The instant invention provides means for mounting hair pieces which are well spaced from each other and from the wall thereby avoiding damage to the contour of the hair. This invention allows the hair pieces to be mounted much closer together because the stands are fixed in their position in the rack and clearance between adjacent hair pieces is assured. Racks can also be mounted on a wall, one above the other which will provide additional displaying of hair pieces. The

racks can be mounted vertically or horizontally along the sidewalls of the display window area, along the floor of the display window area, orin space from wall to'wall. This display can be in any orientation, including angled between opposite walls. The disadvantages of very wide shelves or very large horizontal space areas for the individual wigs is eliminated.

The present invention also provides means for working on the hair pieces. Wig stands tend to be unstable thereby providingconstant chance of toppling or brushing against other wigs. This problem has necessitated excessively'wide work areas. The instant invention permits a positive and firm holding of the wig in the best position for working.

The novel rack can also be used in the home by peoplewho own a plurality of hair pieces. Normally the numerous hair pieces were kept in wig cases thus consuming'a large area in the home. Since excess area in the home is always at a premium, the instant invention fulfills a long felt need by providing means to store hair pieces by mounting the rack on a wall, either in a room or in a closet. This way a number of wigs can be stored close together utilizing only a minimum of space.

I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the exact details of construction shown and described, for obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A display rack for displaying a plurality of wigs and the like in a selectively variable arrangement, comprising,

a longitudinally extended mounting means,

means to secure said mounting means to a flat vertical surface, and

a plurality of support stands, each of said support stands comprising,

a base block retained within said mounting means and selectively longitudinally moveable and fixedly positionable within and along said mounting means and selectively in dividually removable from said mounting means at the ends thereof, to provide selectively chosen spaced relationships between each of said base blocks,

a frustoconically shaped elongate male coupling element on each said base block,

a head block having means in its lower surface for receiving said coupling element, and being selectively removable therefrom,

2. A display rack of the type described in claim 1 wherein said mounting means includes a longitudinally extended C- shaped channel member provided with inwardly extending top portions, each said base block fitting into said channel member with a sliding fit and retained therein by said top portion.

3. A display rack of the type described in claim 1 wherein said securing means includes a rack mounting clamp assembly at each end of said mounting means, each said clamp assembly having and end block fitting into said channel with a sliding fit and retained therein by said top portions,

an extension integral with one end of said end block,

pivot means secured to the end of said extension means not integral with said end block,

a clevis pivotably attached to said pivot means,

a shoe attached to the other end of said clevis and having a face outwardly of said rack,

resilient means attached to said outward face of said shoe to bear against said vertical surface.

4. A display rack of the type described in claim 3 including means for adjustably fixedly positioning said clamp assembly in said mounting means by selectively varying the amount the said extension extends from said mounting means to selective ly vary the overall length of said display rack,

5. A display rack of the type described in claim 4 wherein said positioning means includes screw means passing through said end block, said screw means selectively pressing against the bottom of said channel member and forcing said end block against said top portion to provide said fixed positioning.

6. A display rack of the type described in claim 2 including .means for selectively fixedly positioning said support stands at selected-positions within and along said channel member and selectively releasing said stands from said fixed positions to permit said sliding fit.

7. A display rack of they type described in claim 6 wherein said positioning means include a base block on said support stands, and screw means passing through said base block, said screw means selectively pressing against the bottom of said channel member and forcing said base block against said top portion as to provide said fixed positioning.

8. A display rack as set forth in claim 7 wherein said male coupling element is affixed to the ball member of a ball and socket joint, and the socket member of said ball and socket joint is affixed to a cylindrical stem, and said cylindrical stem 15 mounted on said base block, means to selectively lock and release said ball rotationally with respect to said socket,

said cylindrical stem carrying at the bottom thereof said screw means passing through said base block. 

1. A display rack for displaying a plurality of wigs and the like in a selectively variable arrangement, comprising, a longitudinally extended mounting means, means to secure said mounting means to a flat vertical surface, and a plurality of support stands, each of said support stands comprising, a base block retained within said mounting means and selectively longitudinally moveable and fixedly positionable within and along said mounting means and selectively individually removable from said mounting means at the ends thereof, to provide selectively chosen spaced relationships between each of said base blocks, a frustoconically shaped elongate male coupling element on each said base block, a head block having means in its lower surface for receiving said coupling element, and being selectively removable therefrom.
 2. A display rack of the type described in claim 1 wherein said mounting means includes a longitudinally extended C-shaped channel member provided with inwardly extending top portions, each said base block fitting into said channel member with a sliding fit and retained therein by said top portion.
 3. A display rack of the type described in claim 1 wherein said securing means includes a rack mounting clamp assembly at each end of said mounting means, each said clamp assembly having and end block fitting into said channel with a sliding fit and retained therein by said top portions, an extension integral with one end of said end block, pivot means secured to the end of said extension means not integral with said end block, a clevis pivotably attached to said pivot means, a shoe attached to the other end of said clevis and having a face outwardly of said rack, resilient means attached to said outward face of said shoe to bear against said vertical surface.
 4. A display rack of the type described in claim 3 including means for adjustably fixedly positioning said clamp assembly in said mounting means by selectively varying the amount the said extension extends from said mounting means to selectively vary the overall length of said display rack.
 5. A display rack of the type described in claim 4 wherein said positioning means includes screw means passing through said end block, said screw means selectively pressing against the bottom of said channel member and forcing said end block against said top portion to provide said fixed positioning.
 6. A display rack of the type described in claim 2 including means for selectivEly fixedly positioning said support stands at selected positions within and along said channel member and selectively releasing said stands from said fixed positions to permit said sliding fit.
 7. A display rack of they type described in claim 6 wherein said positioning means include a base block on said support stands, and screw means passing through said base block, said screw means selectively pressing against the bottom of said channel member and forcing said base block against said top portion as to provide said fixed positioning.
 8. A display rack as set forth in claim 7 wherein said male coupling element is affixed to the ball member of a ball and socket joint, and the socket member of said ball and socket joint is affixed to a cylindrical stem, and said cylindrical stem is mounted on said base block, means to selectively lock and release said ball rotationally with respect to said socket, said cylindrical stem carrying at the bottom thereof said screw means passing through said base block. 